About Health, Wellness, and Public Safety

The School of Health, Wellness, and Public Safety provides both entry and advanced level training and skill upgrading in a variety of health care, wellness, public safety, and community service fields. Certificates and associate degrees are awarded upon completion of program requirements.

Classes are held at all Campuses as well as community sites. Students may experience supervised clinical, practicum or internship training at community agencies and organizations.

School Requirements

Enrollment

All programs except Nursing Assistant require a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of the CNM placement tests to enroll. Most programs also have prerequisites that must be met prior to enrolling. Programs require that students be in good physical condition and free of health conditions that could endanger themselves or others. Because of widespread use of latex products, individuals who have an allergy may find it difficult to successfully complete a program. Students may be required to have a physical exam and immunizations at their own expense. Credit by examination (challenge) is available for selected courses. See the CNM Catalog for specific information.

Where: Electronic Fingerprinting done in class or at various locations. The Office of Verification and Compliance must register students with the New Mexico Department of Health prior to fingerprinting.

Why: The Caregivers Criminal History Screening Program (CCHSP) was established by statute in 1998 (Section 29-17-1-5 NMSA 1978). This law requires that caregivers employed in health care services must undergo a federal (FBI) criminal history screening

For all questions regarding potential disqualification from the Caregivers Criminal History Screening Program (CCHSP) due to felony history, contact the Caregivers Criminal History Screening Program information line directly: (505) 476-0801

Professional Healthcare Provider level CPR cards not listed above will need to be evaluated for acceptability.

When: Varies based on program. Mostly due during the beginning of the clinical course

Where: Students can get certified through CNM's HLTH 1001 course, CNM Ingenuity (non-credit CPR training and renewal courses) or students can get certified in the community (Action CPR offers a discount to CNM students and faculty)

Why: In order to attend clinicals our community partners require all certifications be up to date. This is a mandate based on the hospitals accreditation

School Polices

Grading Policy

All career and technical courses required for graduation must be taken for a traditional grade of A, B, or C or as otherwise indicated by the program. For career and technical courses only offered for CR/NC, a grade of CR must be earned.

Graduation Policy

Pre- and corequisites are listed in the CNM Catalog under course descriptions and are subject to change with each new catalog. It is the students responsibility to meet the pre- and corequisites in effect for the schedule in which a course is taken, regardless of the catalog under which the student entered or will graduate. Students may be stopped from enrolling or may be disenrolled if pre- or corequisites are not met.

Students who have successfully completed courses that no longer exist from previous catalog will be accommodated.

Advisory Committees

The Health, Wellness, and Public Safety programs prepare students to enter the local workforce with core and technical competencies that will enable them to be successful in the workplace. Each instructional program (degree and/or certificate) has an external advisory committee composed of industry representatives and other community advocates. We welcome new advisory members who possess current knowledge of workforce skills and behaviors in the content area. Advisory members are expected to attend annual or special meetings at CNM, participate in and support program activities and provide current information about employment skills and opportunities. Advisory members also serve as program advocates in the community and at local and state associations.

Academic Achievement

Health, Wellness, and Public Safety is committed to student learning, also referred to as "academic achievement." The learning system includes a quality curriculum, effective teaching and learning strategies, and classroom, laboratory and community resources.